BOLTON'S Greek international midfielder, Stelios, is leading the charge of players desperate to displace members of the side beaten by Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup final.

Stelios, Javi Moreno and Henrik Pedersen were on the field at the end of the Cardiff disappointment after being sent on as substitutes. All three were back in action for Tuesday's 2-0 reserve team win over Birmingham at the Reebok, as were the impressive Anthony Barness and keeper Kevin Poole, who were the unused subs on Sunday.

Stelios, whose shot was controversially handled by Boro defender Ugo Ehiogu late in the final, scored on Tuesday along with the on-loan Moreno.

Injury

He is determined to win back his first team place after a leg injury that cost him an international cap and said pointedly: "I would like to think I would get back in the team when I am fit."

Manager Sam Allardyce is busy restoring his side's focus for the game at Birmingham on Saturday when he will have plenty of options.

Frenchman Ibrahim Ba and Jamaican international Jermaine Johnson, back from a three-month loan spell at Oldham, looked lively in midfield.

Donovan Ricketts, Bolton's Jamaican international keeper, had a wasted trip to Crystal Palace yesterday to start a month's loan.

The Football League rejected Palace's application to sign him as Ricketts is on loan to Bolton from Village United in Jamaica and, under League rules, cannot be loaned again.

He could play in tonight's reserve game against Leeds at Belle Vue.

Ricketts' return coincided with an exit for 19-year-old French keeper Jeremy Bon whose contract has been cancelled by mutual consent.